Killing of UP policemen

The killing of eight policemen who had gone to conduct a raid at the hideout of a gangster at Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh is shocking. The state has prided itself on making efforts to improve the law and order situation and the killing makes the claim fall flat. While the death of the policemen and the circumstances under which it took place needs a thorough probe, the Yogi Adityanath-led government needs to introspect on the reasons for it. Caste and communal considerations in UP have most often been a factor behind the rise of gangsters and criminals with political parties patronising them and the problem is not just one of law and order but also has a socio-political dimension to it.

The methods undertaken by the Yogi government — to wipe out crime — have resulted in allegations of police high-handedness against even the small-time criminals with due process of law being dispensed with. The gangster in question has been accused in the past of gunning down a BJP minister inside a thana when Rajnath Singh was the CM. The state has also seen an influx of illegal arms and the crackdown resulted in criminals fleeing to adjoining states of Delhi and Haryana.

Also, the enforcement of the lockdown has to a great extent depended on the police force for strict implementation, resulting in discontent. In the days preceding the pandemic, the UP Police cracked down on students at Aligarh Muslim University for protesting against CAA-NRC. The government should first ensure justice for the slain policemen, but at the same time take steps to reform and modernise the force. That corrective steps are needed goes without saying for the gangster is said to have received a tip-off from police sources. At the same time, policemen can’t be allowed to go trigger-happy. With its migrant workforce returning in large numbers and efforts being made to attract investment and generate employment, the state should remember that law and order remains a sine qua non for growth and controversies will only mar that reputation.